Buffalo Trace Tasting Notes: Complete Guide (2023 Updated)
Last Updated on November 5, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Buffalo Trace is the flagship bourbon of the Buffalo Trace Distillery, and we know that many of you are curious about all the hype.
Read on as we give you an overview of the Buffalo Trace tasting notes and discover why people on the internet are getting crazy about this expression.
Overview Of Buffalo Trace Tasting Notes
Buffalo Trace is a 90-proof whiskey that tends to be fruity, clean, and bold, which makes it a good entry-level bourbon.
This beautiful amber whiskey boasts a complex aroma and rich tasting notes for being well-aged in newly charred oak barrels.
Buffalo Trace has pleasant sweetness and spices with rich notes of oak, dark fruit, and anise. It has a smooth, long, and serious depth of flavor.
It is a cheap bourbon and decent for its tasting notes.
Since it shares a similar distillery as the famous Pappy Van bourbons [1], it is not surprising that people get just as crazy with this spirit.
A Closer Look
Nose
As we open a bottle of Buffalo Trace, we are welcomed by its impressive and complex aroma of molasses, mint, and vanilla.
The aroma is pleasant and likable as it bursts with notes of honey, vanilla, caramel, and honey. It also provides an underlying layer of mint and oak.
We also found some creamy toffee eclairs, rum spice, cereal sweetness, and cinnamon scent as we poured Buffalo Trace into our tasting glasses.
Palate
Buffalo Trace has a mellow and sweet flavor profile with caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar notes.
The palate profile can be too sweet for some whiskey enthusiasts, but it is one of the bourbons with enjoyable tasting notes ideal for novices.
It features a fair amount of rye spice and oak that round out the palate. It is smooth and approachable to a wide audience.
“We deliver a variety of flavors to appeal to our customers’ range of tastes.”
– Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace Master Distiller
Buffalo Trace is a middle-of-the-road, solid, affordable whiskey that makes a decent Old Fashioned.
It is drinkable bourbon, balanced and approachable, given its price point.
Color
Buffalo Trace has a beautiful deep amber color, aged in newly charred oak barrels for around 7-9 years.
As the whiskey matures in the barrel, it will pick up color from the oak and become a dark spirit [2].
The longer it stays in the barrel, the darker its appearance will be.
Finish
Buffalo Trace features a moderate-length finish with forefront notes of oak and vanilla. It will fill up your nostrils with a bit of peppery spice and oak.
It has a soft mouthfeel and gentle notes of caramel and vanilla (which is common for bourbons), making it easy to enjoy neat, over ice or cocktails.
Are Buffalo Trace Bourbon’s Tasting Notes Unique?
No, Buffalo Trace bourbon’s tasting notes are not unique.
Yes, it has pleasant and approachable tasting notes, but it is not too different from a typical bourbon. It is a solid pour for its price point.
If Buffalo Trace is unique, it will be because it does not taste “cheap” for its price.
From the views of bourbonites, the hype is not about its tasting notes but about the following factors:
- Buffalo Trace is allocated in some places.
- Buffalo Trace has a solid price point that can be hard to pass up.
- Buffalo Trace shares a similar distillery as famous brands like Pappy Van Winkle, Eagle Rare, and George Stagg.
FAQs
Why is Buffalo Trace hard to find?
Buffalo Trace can be hard to find because it is allocated in some places.
As the distillery tries its best to meet the demands, they still need to meet the minimum aging requirement and bottling standards of Buffalo Trace before it is released.
What is so special about Buffalo Trace?
Buffalo Trace’s solid price point and beginner-friendly tasting notes make the bourbon special.
Buffalo trace does not taste cheap even if it is sold at a cheap price plus, it is surprisingly smooth and mellow.
Is Buffalo Trace a smooth whiskey?
Yes, Buffalo Trace is a smooth whiskey. Its tasting profile is extremely drinkable, and while it is not the smoothest, its flavor profile is approachable, especially for novices.
Based on tasting notes, is Buffalo Trace the same as Pappy?
No, Buffalo Trace does not share similar tasting notes as Pappy.
While they share a similar distillery and parent company, they do not share similar mash bill.
Final Verdict
Buffalo Trace features fruity, sweet, and clean tasting notes that bourbon beginners will appreciate.
It may not be the smoothest, but for its price, it is decent and does not taste cheap.
Buffalo Trace is a good bourbon, especially for its price. Due to its solid price point and beginner’s friendly tasting notes, folks on the internet adore the bourbon whiskey.
References:
- https://www.pastemagazine.com/drink/whiskey/buffalo-trace-bourbon-rye-buying-guide-prices-brands-value/#eagle-rare
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/effect-of-aging-on-liquor-759921
